The Central Delta Argus newspaper in Brinkley confirmed in today’s edition what many have presumed: Federal authorities are looking into the failure of a Brinkley commodity dealer, Turner Grain, to make good on payments owed for purchases of crops from area farmers.
The newspaper spoke with Police Chief Jackie Speer about a Cotton Plant farmer’s complaint that a $25,000 check he’d received from Turner Grain had bounced. Speed said he’d turned all his files over to the FBI last Friday. He also said USDA agents had requested police files.
The leaders of the firm — whose failure to pay could run into the millions — have been unavailable for comment since the story broke.